Man accused in commercial burglaries in five Peninsula cities pleads no contest

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A Belmont man accused of going on a month and a half long crime spree pleaded no contest to the charges on Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Pablo Eduardo Vega, 29, broke into and stole from 11 businesses in five Peninsula cities between Sept. 11 and Oct. 30, 2013, prosecutors said. The businesses include restaurants and hair salons and other businesses in Belmont, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos and Millbrae.

Vega would typically break into these businesses during the night after they were closed. He typically would kick open the door, often leaving his footprint, prosecutors said, and would steal cash or laptops. In at least one incident, there was video surveillance of Vega caught in the act.

On Tuesday, he pleaded no contest to four felony counts of commercial burglaries. He faces up to five years in state prison, prosecutors said.

Vega remains in custody on $150,000 bail and will return to court May 1 for imposition of sentence.